I want to make sure we have enough food by planting maize on the two acres of land we own. My husband will go out fishing, and with the money he earns, we'll be able to plough the land and buy seeds for planting. After we harvest, I hope we'll have some extra maize. The plan is to sell the surplus, and with that money, I want to buy ten goats as an investment. I have three children in school, and I know that emergencies can come up. If that happens, I can sell a goat or two to cover any urgent school fees. This way, I feel we'll be more secure, with both food and a backup plan for my children’s education.

The staff didn’t rush through anything; instead, they took the time to sit with each of us, answering every question with patience and clarity. The officers explained the entire process so thoroughly that, by the end, I felt fully confident in understanding how the program would work and what kind of support I would receive. Since receiving the funds, I've had the chance to make improvements I never thought possible. This support has truly changed my life, and I feel grateful not only for the help but also for how thoughtfully everything was managed from start to finish. Honestly, there’s nothing I would change about the process—everything was handled so smoothly.

When I received the transfer, I decided to invest $420 in purchasing two heifers. My goal is to build a sustainable source of milk for my family, as I usually have to buy milk to feed my six children and my husband. By raising these cows, I hope that, once they start calving, we will not only have enough milk for our daily needs but even a surplus that could be sold to generate additional income. While my husband makes a living through fishing, I take care of the home and our family. This cash transfer has given me the chance to contribute in a meaningful way. With the remaining portion of the money, I purchased food items to ensure that our household would be food secure. This has given us peace of mind, knowing we have enough to get through the weeks without worry. The support from the cash transfer has really allowed me to make smart choices for both immediate needs and long-term plans, which feels empowering.

For the coming year and beyond, my plan is to buy a dairy cow worth $400, which will enable me to provide milk for my family and sell the surplus to my neighbors, generating additional income. To raise the capital needed to purchase the dairy cow, I plan to maintain our daily savings routine even after our wedding. The milk will ensure that my family, especially the children, have access to essential nutrients, reducing our reliance on expensive external sources for milk. The income from selling the surplus will also help cover other household expenses and contribute to our savings.

In my opinion GD has performed well by offering unconditional cash transfers. This flexibility has enabled us to use the funds based on our individual needs. For instance, if the transfers had come with specific conditions, I would have been unable to expand our fishery project by purchasing additional nets or pay off the debt we incurred when buying the boat. Furthermore, the registration process was both cost-free and fair, ensuring that everyone had an equal chance to benefit from the program. We did not have to pay any fees to enroll, making the process accessible to everyone in our community. I have not identified any areas where the organization needs to improve. Keep up the good work GD.

Recognizing the positive impact of our previous investment in my spouse's fishery business, I decided to further invest in it. With the previous transfer, we purchased 10 new nets to replace the five worn-out ones. This initial investment had already shown promising results, and I saw the potential for even better growth. So, I decided to add 23 more nets, costing $207 in total. This investment has increased our daily income from $15 to $40. This boost in income has allowed us to start saving daily for our wedding, which we are excited to plan for August this year. In addition to this, I used $150 to pay off a debt we had for a boat we purchased for fishing. Previously, we had not cleared the full amount with the seller, and the remaining debt had been a source of constant worry. Clearing this debt has lifted a significant burden off our shoulders, allowing my spouse to fish without the stress of outstanding payments. I used the remaining amount of the transfer to buy food for my family of nine, ensuring that we have enough food to last us for awhile.

I had taken my phone to charge at my neighbor's house. When I picked it up later that evening and unlocked it, I saw a receipt of $200 from GiveDirectly. I was so happy that GiveDirectly fulfilled its promise. I immediately told my husband when he came home that evening from fishing. He was so happy too. The first thing that came to our minds was boosting my husband's fishing business, which we had yearned for a very long time.

My husband used to do his fishing operations using five old and worn-out fishing nets, earning a maximum of $15 a day. But after receiving our first GiveDirectly transfer, we invested in ten new fishing nets, which has turned around my husband's business, earning him $30 right now in a day. This increase in income has enabled him to add five more fishing nets. He is now in a position to comfortably provide for us with his daily income, especially since he is the sole provider now that I stopped working since I gave birth.

Earlier this year, following the arrival of my daughter, I had to pause my vegetable trading business, which typically brought in $15-$30 daily. Since then, my family of seven leaned solely on my husband who is a fisherman for sustenance. In order to enhance his business, we invested $90 from our first transfer in acquiring ten new fishing nets, replacing his worn-out ones. The expansion paid off swiftly, as his daily earnings increased from $15 to $30. Additionally, we allocated $72 to prepare our farm for maize cultivation, battling persistent weeds brought by heavy rains with herbicides. With the remaining $20, we procured essential food supplies. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your support.